It's just every write up I read is that 20 grains are a waist of time.I was just interested to see if anyone else has come across the same thing.........Most New Zealander's are 22 or 22WMR fans, but I am certainly a fan of the HMR.
I've found the 20grainers don't expand well in the smaller critters, which can lead to mixed results.In something small like a prairie dog or opposum (that I don't plan to eat/salvage) I prefer the TNT or Vmax rounsd because they dump all their energy into the critter with an "Explosion" of power.On small critters such as these, the HP just starts expanding and exits. You end up with a lot of wasted energy exiting the critter, and a small wound channel. Of course, this is good if you're planning to eat or salvage hides...but means you have to place your shots better and it may take the critter a bit longer to expire. I've shot a few critters with Hornady 20gr HP's and not even been able to find an entrance or exit wound (no blood, either!) That tiny .17caliber bullet makes an awefully small "pin prick" if the bullet doesn't start expanding. This could make tracking a runaway difficult. I've found the HMR to rely heavily on headshots--which it is very capable of doing...but not always an option when in the field.
(Just my experiences).
I'm no New Zealander, but honestly...I do think the 22WMR is a superior HUNTING round.I don't mind sacrificing 300fps if it means my bullet is over 50% heavier, and 30% larger in diameter...the heavier bullet will be more likely to power through bone, penetrate deeper, and best of all--bigger wound channel.I'm not trying to conver anyone, I was an HMR lover too (and still own one)...but I've been disappointed on it's abilities for game over ~10lbs. That knocks a lot of critters off my hunt list--and I don't like that limitation.
For someone whom has just owned a 22wmr for " a few months" you sure do get around the net with your few months oppinion about how vastly superior it is on critters "at or over 10 lbs" .......along with your pitch for the newer "30 grain wmr loads" and how they hit harder than the hmr.
I have shot hundreds of Woodchucks/Groundhogs with both wmr's & hmr's along with enough Coons & Fox. Of the three Woodchucks are the toughest as you must anchor them on spot to keep them out of the hole often just a few feet away. They fall ideally into your spec. of "at or over 10 lbs". Guess which rim mag I prefer? Answer the 17hmr.
A hint about rim mag hunting on critters that size. Regardless of the caliber choice 17hmr,22wmr or 5mm IMO two things need to happen well regardless of which caliber. 1) Accuracy, the more the better. One has to be able to place the shot into the vidals well from field positions. MOA accurate to 150 yards is preferred. 2) The bullet has to "work". By this I mean preferably frag out to at least 125 yards. There is not foot pounds of energy to spare on pass throughs with any of the three on critters that size. You have to step up to a 22 Hornet and 45 grain bullets for that.
The HMR & WMR are far more similarar than differant if the above two "needs" are met equally there is not one shot with the exact same point of impact and simular style bullet that would anchor one Woodchuck that the other could not match, .
If the above to idems are equal.
The key is finding one that can match the two. Based on the 3 - 22wrs I have owned and the two 17hmr's I have owned, in my experiance these two keys are much more easy to find in the run of the mill HMR as compared to the same in WMR. I have no issue / problem anchoring any of the above size varmints with either at 50 yards, it's 100,125 to 150 the issues begin and in my case it's 100-125 that 90% of the "kill'in" is done be it roving,walking or set calling.
Last in regards to "hits harder with the 30 grain ammo as compared". I think you need to look at Hornadys website ballistics before making that statement and compare the bullet makers stats on the 30 V Max ammo vs. the 17 V Max ammo first, as it shows the HMR has the dge in foot pounds. And I promice you with it's faster 1/9 twist of the HMR, as compared to the 1/16 of the WMR, along with higher velocity, the HMR will "work" frag at further distance than the WMR and with out question that is where rim mags get their kill power.........not by punching through with energy to spare as with larger center fire varmint calibers.
You really need a 22 Hornet if you want more power for any shot than a rim mag. Picking one rim mag over the other for kill power is going to see very little difference...............period................not nearly as much as you want to make yourself believe.
